Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-25
THE COEUR D ALENES.
nm Of the Richest Mining Distf1cta
Known in Any Land, Over
in Idaho.
Something Of the History and the
Developments Of the Great Gold
Mines Of the Pan Handle.

MURRAY Idaho, June 20.-[special Co,
respondence OF the Miner. ]-This is that sec
ton OF the Mineral Country known to tn
world as the Ceur d'Alene. and which ha,
been more or less before the people through
the columns OF the press for the past thre
and one-half years, and has suffered from
severe criticisms. and on the other hant
has been highly recommended, both re
ports probably being made in sincerity b,
persons who viewed the teld through diff
ierent glasses. The writer has been con
tinuously through mineral countries 10,
upwards OF a score OF years; has been all
over the Ceurd 'Alene from one extreme
boundary Of the explored portions to the
other, and in some instances has been he.
yond the pale OF civilization in these wilds,
The results of my observations can be
summed up briefly as follows: To the per.
son looking for the unattainable, or ex.
pecting to find an immense fortune on ton
the ground without toll or effort, this is no
place for them, or in fact any other mineral
country at this late day. But to the per-
son who desires to mine in q legitimate
manner, is willing to take the chances and
endure the acknowledgements hard
ships and reverses before final success is
attained, this country to such is
INVITING AND ALLURrNG
like all newly discovered mining districts in
it's early stages. Many a~dventerers found
their way here, as they could not pick up a
fortune in a few weeks. after ascertaininq
that a miners OF prospector's life was one
oftoil and chances, they returned to their
homes %denouncing the entire country as
-orthless. Those that have remained, in
+be short time rave made wonderful pro-
.rsss toward success, in some instances
ssreat fortunes have been quickly aquired,
md H looks reasonable that many more
will he in the next year or two Inc on into
the inde6nate future. The country known
as tbe Coeurd' Alene extends about seventy
niles East and West. 1t il watered by
The river of that name and numerous tribu-
tories. The North and South forks of the
river come together about forty miles
above Cnurd d. Alene lake and about seven
miles above the head of summer naviga-
tion. The little North fork which heads
West of this point also empties into the
main river near the same place. The North
fork heads on the divide above Kootenai
lake. flows northerly, thence makes q huge
sweep toward the East, turns and flows
southeny to it's Junction with the South
fork. The after stream rises in the Bitter
Root Mountains on tie opposite side of
the range from the St. Regis
ON rHE MONTANA SIDE
and flows southerly to it's union with the |
aforementioned streams. The section ia |
locally subdivided and is called the North
and South fork sides. The discovery of
placer gold on the North side by Mr.. A. j.
Pritchard in 1883 was the cause OF the |
great stampede to this country in '83 and
"a, Mr.. Pricbard is one of those restless, |
daring persons who will endure any hard
ship Or bear up under any exposure while
in quest Of mineral wealth. Some time
prior to 'S3 he discovered the Evolution
lode on the South fork, and then on the
hanks OF that stream located u ranch, |
which be occupies to this day. In 1888 he
crossed the divide and came down on what |
is now Prichard creek. at the upper end of |
where the town OF Murray is now built. |
Here he found pay diggings at the mouth
Of Gold run, and located
TIE FAR FAMED WIDOW CLAIM.
Desiring to penetrate further the unbroken
wilderness he pushed across the hills to the
head Of East Eagle creek. He prospected
down this stream and established a per-
msnent camp where the city of Eagle is
now located. Returning to bis ranch on
theSouth Fork he wrote to few particular
friends, telling them Of his finds in this un-
explored land. As the word passed from
mouth to mouth it was naturally naRni.
fed. The completion of the Northern Pa
cifc road which swept around this country |
tothe west, making the section more eaey |
~ofaccess, and other features, combined to
cause the wild winter stampe OF the years
80 and "a. Dire vengeance by hanging |
and other means were threatened Mr..
Pricbard by the disappointed ones. But
hsstill lives and can easily demonstrate
that the first impressions OF the country
have been verified. Many valuable claims
otplacer and quartz leads OF gold and lead
have been found over which Mr.. Prichard
Travelled in his lonely and resOlute search
for gold, that at the time OF his journey
ing |
ESCAPED HIS NOTICE. |
Since the date O fthis discovery the placers
oithe north side have been steady produc'
es Of gold. Most OF the yield comes from
the side gulches on account OF their being
more regularly worked. The main creeks
such as Pritchard, Beaver. East and West
Eagle will have to be worked on an extern.
sive scale by wealthy parties who can al.
lord to wait for means for an immense
outlay. Yet many thousands OF ounces
OF gold dust and nuggets have been cleaned
up and sold from the creeks mentioned.
OF geld quartz mines, those of the north
side will compare favorably with or eclipse
many n older mineral sections. As far as
developed the gold quartz interests are
about as follows: The Kincannonl lode, six
miles up Prichard from Murray, slightly |
developed, looks promising, has an arastra,
and does well. |
oPHIR BILL,
one mile above Murray, is a perfect treas
IRE vault. On this hill is located the famed
Mother lode. which with a one-tub arastra
produces about $4,000 per month. Only
Development work is being done on the
mine, and the ore IS wonderfully rich. The
Occident groupe comprises the Occldent'
Mothers Bow, Fourth of July and Chicago
lodes. A two-tub arastra pays hugely on
this property. The Treasure Box is a phe'
nomenal gold mine, known to fame as pro-
ducing about $4,000 last winter in a lew
weeks by four men with hand mortars. A
oNne.tub arastra produces from $S,oOO TO
$4,000 per month from this lead. Across
the creek are the mines Of the Idaho Com
pany Ia Louisville corporation), partly
completed f~fty.stamp mill, immense bodies
OF ore and cold idleness are the prominent
features at present. Cause-Tenderfeet.
Near the Idaho on Reeder gulch is the
Golden Chest, the first gold quartz mine IN
the country on which a mill was erected.
$4,000 was soon produced. For some
time W. H. Petit has been the superinten-
dent. He has worked on the plan to have
Q thoroughly developed mine before ne
starts his mill, and although he represents
louisville company he is thorough in bis
business. He has now about 1000 tons
mpay ore in sight, and under bis manage,
,@ent the other Louisville companies VIII
learn the way to
MAX MINING PAY.
tits not known when the mill will be re-
moved to a more favored location there
oens a lack OF sufficient water on the pres
ent site), but when it doee start it will be q
success.
One mile below Murray and one mile up
uream Gnlch are the Frank Reece ola
mines, prominent among which are the
Duckeye ROy ond lin, Rlaine 1O0es. both OF